Tinubu Reacts To Buhari's Rejection Of Oyegun's Tenure Elongation

Posted by Thandiubani on Wed 28th Mar, 2018 - tori.ng

Ahmed Bola Tinubu has broken his silence following President Muhammadu Buhari's rejection of John Odigie-Oyegun's tenure extension.

APC National leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has reacted after President Muhammadu Buhari rejected party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun's tenure extension.

Tinubu said that the President has saved the party from legal crisis with his action.

The APC chieftain said this in a statement personally signed by him on Tuesday titled ‘The President has spoken’. Tinubu commended the President’s decision and described the speech as straightforward.

He further said the speech showed that the party was committed to the principles of internal democracy and that it was an affirmation that the APC is a party that adheres to internal democracy.

“President Buhari’s action saves the party from serious legal turmoil. If the elongations were deemed illegal, then all subsequent party actions, including the nomination of all of our candidates for elective offices, might also be of questionable legality.

“Such a predicament would constitute an unnecessary and mortal blow to the party and its role in promoting progressive governance to Nigeria.

“Moreover, President Buhari has affirmed for all to see that our party is one based on the rule of law coupled with a firm adherence to internal democracy.

“The President has spoken. Today is a good day for those who cherish democracy and legality. His action will also serve to strengthen the party by allowing party members, including present incumbents, to seek to contribute to the party by vying for executive offices as they see fit.

“His action will go far in advancing the process of internal reconciliation that is now underway.”

Mr Tinubu, therefore, urged the party to set in motion the process of organising the congresses according to the existing timetables.

He added: “After all, a party bearing the name All Progressives Congress should be the last party to resist holding congresses in which all its people have a fair say and fair chance to aspire to any position in the party for which they are qualified to hold.

“Again, this is a good day for the APC and democratic political practice in Nigeria. We shun the politics of old to move toward a new and better way of governing ourselves and this nation,” he said.

The APC leadership had on February 27 announced the extension of the tenure of the party’s NEC and other executives by one year, effective June 2018.

Those present at the meeting include President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, among other party chieftains.

Mr Tinubu said the president’s opposition to the elongation has affirmed that the APC remains faithful to the principles of internal democracy and the rule of law.